Position-adjusting mechanism



July 24, 1962 J. E MARTENS 3,046,055

POSITION-ADJUSTING MECHANISM Filed Feb. 19, 1960 53 r 87 JNVENTOR.

R W5; 88 JACK 5 H 4 BY as if w 2 W ATTORNEY United States Patent OfilicePatented July 24, 1962 Shil lddlSS PUSTiTiiEN-ADJUSTHQG WHANEM .iack E.Martens, Gary, ind, assignor to The Anderson (Jompany, a corporation ofIndiana Filed Feb. 19, 1960, Ser. No. 9,813 Ji l- (Ilaims. (Cl. 257-361) This invention relates to a position-adjusting mechanism, andmore particularly is directed to a linear extensible holding mechanism,or adjuster having a movement-controlling device.

Currently many different linear adjusters or actuators are available onthe market or have been disclosed in publications. There are manyproblems in connection with the use of these actuators, but forsimplicity some of the problems can best be illustrated with respect toa seat adjuster for controlling the position of a back rest relative tothe bottom or seat portion of the seat. Certain seats in use todayemploy hydraulic actuators for adjusting the back rest whereby a buttonis depressed to permit the back rest of the seat to be moved backward orforward within predetermined limits. However, in the event the actuatorhas suffered damage or in the event the ball check valve in the systembecomes stuck, control is lost on the back rest of the seat and anypressure on the back rest will cause the back rest to gradually creep toa reclining position. Another system currently in use as a seat adjusteremploys a spring and a ratchet arrangement such that for each incrementof back adjustment an actuating lever is released and reset. The backrest moves in predetermined angular increments which may Or may not becomfortable to the individual using the seat.

Position holding devices, commonly called actuators, currently in usebecome substantially unusable when certain elements malfunction orbecome damaged since the output of the actuator then fails to remain inan adjusted position. Said actuators likewise creep under heavy loads,which is objectionable. Certain of said prior actuators are operativeonly at predetermined increments of travel and some require that a leverbe actuated to permit movement of parts of the actuator under normalconditions in either direction.

My improved actuator hereinafter described is adapted to positivelyprevent movement in one direction while permitting movement in the otherdirection when the motionarresting means is operative. The actuator isreadily adjustable in either direction when the motion-arresting meansis moved to the inoperative position.

It is, therefore, a principal object of this invention to provide animproved actuator having the just-enumerated advantageous features andovercoming the above-noted disadvantages of the prior art.

it is an object of this invention to provide an improved actuator thatremains in the adjusted position.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved actuatorthat is adjustable in one direction Without restorting to movement of anactuating or arresting mechanism.

it is a still further object of this invention to provide an improvedactuator that can be readily adjusted a variable amount in eitherdirection upon release of an arresting mechanism.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved actuatorhaving means for looking or arresting the system in one direction ofoperation in such a way that loads on the output tend to increase thelocking force of said means.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide an improved actuatorhaving means for urging the actuator into its extended position uponrelease of the arresting mechanism.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improvedactuator that is inexpensive to manufacture, highly efficient in use,relatively easy and inexpensive to maintain, and of a relatively longserviceable life.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent afterthe description hereinafter set forth is considered in conjunction withthe drawing annexed hereto.

In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view partly in section of a seat having anactuator mechanism according to my invention;

FIGURE 2 is a partial top view of the actuator mechanism of FIGURE 1showing its connection with respect to certain operating parts of theseat;

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view of the actuator mechanism taken alongthe lines 3-3 of FIGURE 2;

FEGURE 4 is a partial cross-sectional view similar to FIGURE 3 only withparts thereof in another operative position; and

FEGURE 5 is a partially broken away view of a typical nut arrangementshowing its association wtih the threads of the screw member.

Referring to the drawings wherein similar reference numerals refer tosimilar parts throughout the several views, an adjustable-type seat isdesignated by the numeral 1d and is comprised of a bottom or seatportion 11 and a back rest portion 1.2. The seat portion is providedwith a cushion 13, a support frame and trim plate 14, and a tubularframe 15. The frame 15 substantially surrounds the periphery of the seatalong the lower inner edge portion thereof. Generally, the tubularportion 15 is either rigidly mounted to the fioor of the vehicle ormounted to an adjusting mechanism for up, down, back and/or forthmovement of the seat. A generally triangularly shaped plate 16 isrigidly fastened to the tubular frame 15 at opposite back corners of theseat so that the respective upper legs of the plates have apertures 17through which a pivot pin 18 is passed into engaging relationship with asupporting plate 20 carried by the tubular frame 21 of the back rest 12of the seat. The back rest 12 is adapted to pivot about the axis of thepin 18 from an upright position, such as shown in solid lines in FIGURE\l, to a reclining position, such as shown by the dottedline position ofFIGURE 1. The back rest 12 has a tubular portion 22 extending across thelower portion of the back rest between the respective plates 24} forstabilizing the back rest to which is mounted a depending bifurcatedbracket 24 having aligned apertures 25 through which is passed a pivotpin 27.

The actuator 35, forming the subject matter of the instant invention, isadapted to be connected at one end to said bracket 24 by the pivot pin27 and at the other end to a bracket 2? carried by the tubular frame 15of the seat bottom 11. The present actuator is shown in connection withthe above-described seat 1%] for illustration purposes only. it isbelieved to be obvious that the actuator has multiple uses in manydifferent devices outside the seat adjuster or actuator field and it isnot intended that the present disclosure with respect to the seat Itshould be restrictive of the scope of the disclosure relative to theactuator.

The actuator is comprised of an elongate tubular member 37 having abracket means 38 held by a pin 39 in one end portion thereof and havinga nut member 4t held by the plugs or pins 41 in the other end portionthereof. The bracket means 38 has an aperture through an outer endportion thereof, through which aperture the pin 27 from the supportingbracket 24 passes such that the actuator 35 is free to pivot in a planeperpendicular to the axis of the pin 27, but is not free to rotate aboutthe longitudinal axis of said tubular element 37. A screw member 42 hasthreads 43 on one end portion which extends into the tubular member 37through the nut 43. The end 44 of the threaded portion 45 of the screwmember 42 is tapered so as to provide a bearing point or surface 45 atthe outer end thereof. A force-transmitting plate 46 has a .transverseconcentric flange 47 slidably disposed in the tubular member 37 with acone-shaped central portion 48 for coacting with said bearing surface45. A relatively strong compression spring 49 is disposed within thetubular element 37 and bears against said hearing plate 46 and the innersurface of the bracket member 38 so as to urge the bearing plate 46 andscrew member 42 in a direction away from the bracket means 38.

v A bifurcated support member is axially aligned with the tubular member37 and is pivotally supported on the bracket 29 carried by the tubularframe 14 of the seat. The support 51 is free to pivot about the axis ofan actuating rod 53, but is preventedfrom rotating about itslongitudinal axis. The other end portion 54 of the screw 42 extendsthrough an aperture 55 and projects into a hollow portion 57 of saidsupport bracket 51. An inverted cupshaped member 58 telescopicallyencompasses part of the end portion 54 and is slidably disposed in thehollow portion 57 of the support. A ball bearing as is positionedbetween a tapered portion 61 of the cup-shaped member 53 and the endface 63 'of the screw 42. An undercut portion 65 is provided in the endportion 54 of the screw through which a pin 66 is passed from the cupmember 58 so as to allow only limited movement of the screw 42 relativeto the cup member 53 while permitting rotational movement therebetween.

A compression spring 68 is concentrically disposed about the end portion54 of the screw 42 and bears against the inner face 69 of the hollowportion 57 of the support 51 and against the inner face 76 of the cupmember 58 so as to urge the cup member and the associated screw member42 in an axial direction away from the tubular element 37. The actuatingrod 53 which extends between the parallel legs of the support 51 servesthe dual function of not only pivotally mounting one end of the actuator35, but also serves as an actuating rod for the arresting mechanism 71of the actuator 35. The rod 53 has a cam-shaped portion 72 for bearingagainst the outer face of the cup member 58, which cam is comprised of acircular part 73 and a fiat part 74 on one side thereof. The rod 53extends through a bearing bracket '75 to an exposed position'on theoutside of the seat 1th. A handle or lever member 77 is pinned at 78 tothe exposed end of said rod 53 such that movement of the handle 77 willrotate the rod 53 about its longitudinal axis. The spring 68 in the support bracket 51 urges the outer face of the cup member 58 against thecam-shaped portion 72 of the rod 53. Rotation of the rod 53 from theposition shown in FIGURE 3 to the position shown in FIGURE 4 will movethe cup member 53, depress the spring 68 and move the screw member 42axially of the support bracket 51 for a purpose to be more fullydescribed hereinafter.

A plurality of axially disposed serrations 86 are formed in one raisedpart of the end portion 54 of the screw 42 to which is mounted a brakedisc 81 which extends radially outward from said screw 42. The disc 81is keyed to the serrated portion fill of the screw 42 so as to rotatewith and move axially with the screw 42. A friction pad 83 of a materialhaving a high friction-producing characteristic is fastened to the faceof the disc 81 on the side of the disc contiguous with the end face ofthe support 51. The pad 83 forms a braking surface between disc 81 andthe end face 85 of the support so as to prevent relative rotationtherebetween when urged together with sufficient pressure. A stop washer87 is fastened to the screw 42 on the side of the disc 81 facing thethreaded end of the screw. The nut member abuts the stop 87 in oneextreme position of its travel relative to the screw 42.

The nut 40 can be any one of several Well-known types, but for thepurpose of illustration is shown as comprising a pair of axiallyspaced-apart ring members 99 and $91 having oppositely facing raceways93, 4 formed internally 42. A corrugated spring element 100 ispositioned between juxtaposed faces of the ring members 90, 91 forurging said ring members away from each other in an axial direction soas to increase the operative engagement between the raceways 93, 94 andthe bearing portions of the rollers 98. Pins 41 pass through aperturesin the tubular member 37 and extend into openings in the contiguousfaces of the rings 9% and 91 so as to stake the nut 40 to the tubularelement 37 while permitting some limited degree of adjustment betweenthe rings 90 and 91. Relative rotation between the nut member 40 and thescrew member 42 moves one member axially relative to the other member.The one axial end face of the carrier 96 has a stop 102 shaped andoriented in such a way as to engage with a stop pin 193 carried by theend 44 of the screw 42 so as to limit movement of the nut and screw 42relative to each other an excessive amount.

In operation on the seat of FIGURE 1 with the back rest 12 in a verticalposition and with the rod 53 in the position of FIGURE 3, any clockwisepressure against the back rest 12 urges the screw 42 with the brakingdisc 81 against the end of the nonrotatable support 51 to therebyprevent any movement of the back rest in a clockwise direction. Rotationof the rod 53 by handle 77 to a position such as shown in FIGURE 4 willforce the cup member 58 and screw 42 axially of the rod 53 against theforce of the spring 68, so as to raise the brake disc 81 from the end 85on the support 51 whereby any clockwise pressure on the back rest 12urges the plate 46 of the tubular member 37 against the end of the screw42 to thereby rotate the screw 42 about its axis. Rotation of the screw42 relative to the nut 49 moves the tubular member 37 and the nut 40along the axis of the screw 42 until the handle 77 is released or untilthe cage 96 of the nut 46 engages with the stop 87 on the shaft. Theback rest 12 is now in the completely horizontal position.

With the brake 81 released the back rest 12 can be moved in either aclockwise or counterclockwise direction between the limits of movementprovided by the stop washer 87 or stop pin 1&3 on the screw 42. With theback rest in a reclining position, such as shown in dotted lines inFIGURE 1, it may be raised to the vertical position in either one of twodifferent ways. First, even with the brake 81 in locking position suchas shown in FIG- URE 3, the back rest can be raised or rotated in acounterclockwise direction without movement of the rod 53, that is,pressure on the seat back 12 in a counterclockwise direction will serveto lift the brake disc 81 from its contacting surface 85 on the support51 thereby permitting the screw 42 to turn in the nut 40 as the seat ismoved to the raised position. However, immediately upon releasing thecounterclockwise force on the seat back 12 the spring 63 will re-engagethe brake disc 81 with brake surface 85 and stop further movement of theseat back. The second way to raise the back rest 12 is to move thehandle 77 to the cam position of FIGURE 4, whereupon the brake orarresting device 71 is released so that the spring 49 will urge thescrew 42 into rotational movement through the nut 44 for moving thetubular element axially of the shaft to thereby move the back rest tothe upright position.

From the foregoing, it is believed to be obvious that an actuator isprovided with the desirable characteristics of preventing movement inone direction until an arresting mechanism is released and permittingmovement in either direction when the arresting mechanism isinactivated. The mechanism also provides for movement of the output ofthe actuator in one direction without the application of externalforces. The actuator mechanism likewise provides for movement in onedirection even with the arresting mechanism normally engaged upon theapplication of an external force.

,Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that variousmodifications may be made in the same without departing from the spiritof the invention; and, therefore, I do not wish to be understood aslimiting myself to the exact form, construction, arrangement andcombination of parts herein shown and described.

I claim:

1. A mechanical position-holding device comprising an elongate tubularelement having one end portion adapted to be operatively connected to anoutput member, support member aligned with said tubular element andadapted to be operatively connected to a member and held againstrotation about its longitudinal axis, an elongate member extending intosaid tubular element and into said support member and rotatably mountedin the latter, an actuating rod rotatably mounted on said supportmember, means carried by said support member for urging one end of saidsupport member into operative contact with an operative portion of theactuating rod, a nut carried by said tubular element and operativelyengaging with a threaded portion of said elongate member, spring meansin said tubular element for urging said elongate member toward saidsupport member, brake means coacting with said elongate member and withsaid support member for preventing rotation of said elongate memberrelative to said support member whereby said output member is lockedagainst movement toward said support member, and means for moving saidactuating rod for disengaging the brake means whereby the elongatemember is rotatable about its longitudinal axis as the tubular elementand nut are moved axially of the elongate member in either direction.

2. A mechanical position-holding device comprising an elongate tubularelement having one end portion pivotally connected to an output memberagainst rotation about its longitudinal axis, a support member alignedwith said tubular element and pivotally connected against rotation aboutits longitudinal axis, an elongate threaded member carried by saidsupport member and extending into said tubular element, spring-urgedmeans on said support member telescopically encompassing part of saidthreaded member, an actuating rod rotatably mounted on said supportmember and having a cam-shaped portion operatively engaging with saidspring-urged means, a nut carried by said tubular element andoperatively engaging with the threaded portion of said threaded member,spring means in said tubular element urging said threaded member towardsaid support member, brake means carried by said threaded member andcoacting with said support member for preventing rotation of saidthreaded member relative to said support member whereby said outputmember is locked against movement toward said support member, and meansfor partially rotating said actuating rod for moving said threadedmember in an axial direction to disengage the braking means whereby thethreaded member is rotatable about its axis as the tubular element andnut are moved axially of the threaded member in either direction.

3. A mechanical position-holding device comprising an elongate tubularelement having one end portion pivotally connected to an output memberagainst rotation about its longitudinal axis, a support member alignedwith said tubular element and pivotally connected against rotation aboutits longitudinal axis, an elongate member having one end portionthreaded and having the other end portion unthreaded, the unthreadedportion extending into a hollow portion of the support member androtatably mounted therein, a cup member telescopically encompassing partof said unthreaded portion and slidably nesting in said hollow portionof the support, an actuating rod rotatably mounted on said supportmember, the closed end of said cup member seating against a cam-shapedportion of said rotatable actuating rod, spring means encircling saidunthreaded portion and being seated in compression between the innerwall of said cup member and the inner Wall of the hollow portion of thesupport for urging said closed end of said cup member against saidcam-shaped portion of the actuating rod, a not carried by said tubularelement and operatively engaging the threaded portion of said threadedmember, spring means in said tubular element urging said threaded membertoward said aligned support member, braking means carried by saidthreaded member and coacting with said support member for preventingrotation of said threaded member relative to said support member wherebysaid output member is locked against movement toward said supportmember, and means for partially rotating said actuating rod for movingsaid threaded member in an axial direction to disengage the brakingmeans whereby the threaded member is rotatable about its axis as thetubular element and nut are moved axially of the threaded member ineither direction.

4. A mechanical position-holding mechanism comprising an elongatetubular element having means at one end adapted to be fastened to amovable output member, a support member axially aligned with and spacedfrom said said tubular ele rent, an elongate threaded member extendinginto said tubular element and rotatably mounted in said support member,brake means coacting between said threaded member and said supportmember, means for urging said brake means into locking position so as toprevent relative rotation between the threaded member and the supportmember, brake-actuating means carried by said support member forreleasing said brake means, and a nut fixedly carried by said tubularelement and operatively engaging the threads on said threaded memberwhereby releasing said brake means permits movement of the output memberin either direction.

5. A mechanical position-holding device comprising an elongate tubularelement having bracket means fastened at one end thereof, a supportmember pivotally connected to a base against rotation about itslongitudinal axis, an elongate threaded member extending from withinsaid tubular element to within said support member and rotatably mountedin the latter, nut means fixedly carried by said tubular element andoperatively engaging with the threads on said threaded member, springmeans in said tubular element urging said threaded member toward saidsupport member, brake means coacting between said threaded member andsaid support member for preventing rotation of said threaded memberrelative to said support member, spring means for locking said brakemeans in place, and means for releasing said brake means whereby thethreaded member is rotatable about its axis as the tubular element andmotion-transmitting means are moved axially of the threaded member ineither direction.

6. A mechanical position-holding device comprising an elongate tubularelement having bracket means fastened at one end thereof, a supportmember aligned with said tubular element and pivotally connected to abase, an elongate threaded member extending into said tubular elementand having the other end portion extending into said support member andpivotally mounted therein, a nut fixedly fastened to said tubularelement and operatively engaging with the threads on said threadedmember, brake means coacting with said elongate threaded member and withsaid support member for preventing rotation of said threaded memberrelative to said support member, and means for actuating said brakemeans to release said threaded member for rotation whereby the threadedmember is rotatable about its axis as the tubular element and nut aremoved axially of the threaded member in either direction.

7. A mechanical position-holding device comprising an elongate tubularelement having one end open and having bracket means fastened at theother end thereof,

furcated support member and extending into a hollow bore therein, a cupmember telescopically encompassing part of said unthreaded end portionof the threaded member and slidably nesting in said hollow bore, arotatable actuating rod having a cam-shaped portion bearing against theclosed end of said cup member, spring means encircling said unthreadedend portion of the threaded member and being seated in compressionbetween the inner Wall of said cup member and the inner wall of thehollow bore of the bifurcated support member for urging said closed endof said cup member against said cam-shaped a portion of the actuatingrod, a motion-transmitting nut fastened in the open end of said tubularelement and operatively engaging with the threads on said threadedmember, spring means in said tubular element for urging said threadedmember toward said open end of the tubular element, disc means keyed tothe unthreaded end portion of said threaded member, braking meanscarried by said disc means and coacting with an appropriate surface onsaid bifurcated support for preventing rotation of said threaded memberrelative to said bifurcated support whereby said output member is lockedagainst movement toward said actuating rod, and means for partiallyrotating said actuating rod for moving said threaded member in an axialdirection to disengage the braking means whereby the threaded member isrotatable about its axis as the tubular element and nut are movedaxially of the threaded member in eitherdirection.

8. In a seat-adjuster mechanism and in combination: an elongateextensible actuator member having a fixed nut and receiving a rotatablescrew means for'controlling the axial movement of one end of saidactuator relative to the other, brake means operatively engaging saidscrew means for preventing rotation of said screw means, and means forreleasing said brake means so that said nut-andscrew means ismanipulatable for adjusting one end of said actuator relative to theother upon the application of force in one direction of movement andunder the action of a spring force in the other direction of movement.

9. In a seat-adjuster mechanism and in combination: a horizontallysupported seat member, a back member pivotally connected to said seatmember for movement between a substantially horizontal and asubstantially vertical position, an elongate extensible actuator memberfas tened at its one end to said back member and at its other end toaqfixed bracket, said actuator member having a fixed nut and a rotatablescrew means operatively carried thereby, brake means operativelyengaging said screw means for preventing rotation of said screw meansand for preventing said back member from moving to the horizontalposition from the vertical position, and means forreleasing said brakemeans so that said screw means is manipulatable for adjusting said backmember between its opposite extreme positions.

10. In a seat-adjuster mechanism and in combination: a horizontallysupported seat member, a generally vertically disposed back memberconnected to said seat member for pivotal movement about a pivot axis,an elongate ex tensible actuator member fastened at its one end to saidback member at a location below and to the rearward side of said pivotaxis and at its other end to a fixed bracket beneath smd seat member,said actuator member having a fixed nut and a rotatable screw means forcontrolling the movement of said back of the seat from a verticalposition to a horizontal position, brake means operatively engaging saidscrew means for preventing Cil rotation of said screw means and forpreventing said back member from moving to the horizontal position fromthe vertical position, and means for releasing saidbrake means so thatsaid screw means is manipulatable for adjusting said back member uponthe application of force in one direction of movement and under thei-action of a spring force in the other direction of movement. if

11. In a seat-adjuster mechanism having a horizontally supported seatmember, a generally vertically disposed back member pivotally connectedrelative to said seat member, and means for controlling the movement ofsaid back member, said means comprising an elongate extensible actuatormember fastened at one end to said back member and fastened at its otherend to a fixed bracket beneath said seat member, said actuator memberhaving a fixed nut and a rotatable screw means for controlling said backmember from a vertical position to a horizontal position, brake meansoperatively engaging said screw means for preventing rotation of saidscrew means and for preventing said back member from moving to thehorizontal position from the vertical position, and means for releasingsaid brake means so that said screw means is rotatable and permitsadjustment of said back member upon the application of force in onedirection of movement and under the action of a spring force in theother direction of movement.

12. In a seat-adjuster mechanism and in combination: a horizontallysupported seat member, a generally vertically disposed back memberpivotally connected relative to said seat member an elongate extensibleactuator member fastened at one end to said back member and fastened atits other end to a fixed bracket beneath said seat member, said actuatormember comprising a tubular element and a support, a nut means fixedlycarried by said tubular element, screw means rotatably carried by saidsupport element and said nut, spring means in said tubular elementurging said screw means through the nut means, brake means operativelyengaging said screw means for preventing rotation of said screw meansand for preventing said back member from moving to the horizontalposition from the vertical position, and means for releasing said brakemeans so that said screw means is urged by said spring means throughsaid nut means for moving said back member in one direction andpermitting said back member to be moved in another direction upon theapplication of force in said other direction.

13. In a seat-adjuster mechanism and in combination: a horizontallysupported seat member, a generally vertically disposed back memberpivotally connected relative to said seat member, an elongate extensibleactuator member fastened at one end to said back member and fastened atits other end to a fixed bracket beneath said seat member, said actuatormember having a fixed nut and a rotatable screw means for controllingthe movement of said back member from a vertical position to ahorizontal position, spring means in said actuator adjacent said screwfor urging said screw through said nut, brake means operatively engagingsaid screw means for preventing rotation of said screw means and forpreventing said back member from moving to the horizontal position fromthe vertical position, and means for releasing said brake means so thatsaid screw means permits said back member to be moved in one directionupon the application of force to said back member and permits said backmember to be moved in another direction under the action of the springforce on the screw means.

14. An adjustable positioning device comprising in combination; anelongate tubular element having means for attachment to a relativelymovable member, a support for attachment to another relatively movablemember having a receiving portion axially aligned with and spaced fromthe tubular element, said tubular element and support member beingmounted for nonrotation about their longitudinal axes, an elongatethreaded member element in operative engagement with the threadedmember, said threaded member having relatively steep threads wherebyrelease of the braking surface permits axial force applied to thetubular element and support member to move said tubular element and saidsupport member to another spaced-apart position, further manipulation of10 the release means permitting the brake surfaces to return to aholding position, and a resilient means positioned between the tubularmember and screw to normally urge the tubular member and support memberto an axially disposed position when the brake surfaces are released.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,870,532 Schuetz Aug. 9, 1932 2,194,120 Haslup Mar. 19, 1940 2,208,561Jungbauer July 23, 1940 2,579,305 Cushman Dec. 18, 1951 2,897,922 CanepaAug. 4, 1959

